Photo credit: Aaron Chown/PA Media
This week, Saskatchewan's Lieutenant Governor Bernadette McIntyre had the honor of meeting King Charles III for the first time at Buckingham Palace. Accompanied by her husband and the Executive Director for the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, Carolyn Speirs, McIntyre also enjoyed high tea at Canada House with High Commissioner Ralph Goodale and his wife, Pam Goodale.
Speaking to us from London her Honour says being able to meet and visit with the King was an amazing experience.
Setting the stage for her visit, Her Honour shared, " We were picked up at our hotel by a driver from Canada House, and taken through to Buckingham Palace. We went through a couple of gates and into the inner courtyard, where aides and assistants opened the doors for us. We were escorted on a red carpet through parts of Buckingham Palace to a sitting area outside the room where we would meet the King."
During the 45 minute audience with King Charles III, she noted that he was very warm and friendly and know s so much about Canada. He remembered his trips to Saskatchewan and was just very appreciative that I've taken on this role to represent him in Saskatchewan.
The Lieutenant Governor presented the King with a selection of agricultural gifts from Saskatchewan, reflecting the province's rich farming heritage. "Agriculture is near and dear to my heart. I grew up on a small farm in Saskatchewan, and I still own farmland."
Trying to find the ideal gift for the King and Queen is no doubt challenging, they are often admired and appreciated, but with the volume of gifts they receive eventually end up tagged and sitting on a shelf.
Her Honour says with that in mind she wanted to take something consumable. "Mustard is my favourite condiment. I love Gravelbourg mustard. So I said let's take some of that. A very representative gift from the province as Saskatchewan is the world's largest exporter of mustard seed.
Their Honours also tapped into the fact that the province is a major producer of pulse crops and brought along lentil and chickpea snacks from the Three Farmers company of Saskatoon.
They also presented a green scarf for King Charles III and a blue scarf for Queen Camilla, both designed and knit by Mariette Anderson of Gravelbourg from wool produced by the Canadian Fibre Mill located near Caron.
The wool scarves from the Canadian Fiber Mill, also highligh the King’s patronage of the Wool Project in the Commonwealth. "The wool was sourced from sheep raised in Saskatchewan and processed at the fiber mill," McIntyre noted. "We were thrilled to include these scarves, which were knitted by Marionette Anderson from Gravelbourg."
King Charles III was delighted with the gifts, particularly the wool scarves. "He talked to me about being a patron of the Wool Project and how important and sustainable wool is," McIntyre said. "He thought the scarves were beautiful and found the mustard and other consumables unique and interesting."
She also shared insights from her conversation with the King, noting his strong message of unity and support for Canada. "He and the Queen are coming to Ottawa to open Parliament, and read the speech from the throne, which hasn't been done since his mother did it in 1977. He feels it's very important and is pleased to be doing it."
Overall, she said it was an amazing experience to meet with King Charles and to be his representative in Saskatchewan.
"It's an absolute honor to represent the wonderful people of our province in London, in Saskatchewan, and in Canada," she said.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla will visit Canada May 26 and 27th.
To hear Glenda-Lee's conversation with Lieutenant Governor Bernadette McIntyre click on the link below